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[FONT='Trebuchet MS', arial, helvetica, sans-serif]STOKE striker Ricardo Fuller is being tipped to bounce back from his injury problems and rediscover his old magic next season.
Director of football John Rudge says only a fool would dare to write off the 31-year-old crowd favourite, who is recovering from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered at Aston Villa on April 23.
Forecasts at the time suggested a three or four-month period on the sidelines for the popular Jamaican.
"We aren't exactly sure at the moment when Ricardo will be fully fit again," said Rudge, "but we are doing everything we can to make sure he's back as soon as possible.
"He's a special player, we all know that, and I'm sure everyone is keen to see him up and running as quickly as possible. Not least Ricardo himself."
The stakes are increasing for Fuller, who came close to joining Sunderland in January, because he is now in the last year of his contract at the Britannia Stadium.
However, reports that Stoke have offered the striker to Birmingham in a player-plus-cash deal for defender Scott Dann are understood to be wide of the mark, not least because Fuller is injured.
Rudge added: "He's been a fantastic player for us over the last four or five seasons – and was a tremendous miss towards the end of last season.
"You just don't know what's going to come next when he has the ball at his feet, but nor do the defenders trying to stop him."
Fuller, who joined the club for £500,000 from Southampton in 2006, is one short of a half-century of goals in his 132 starts and 58 substitute appearances for Stoke.
"You have to say that he's been one of the best signings we've had in recent years," Rudge added.
"He's always been a player who can pull something special out of the hat and score spectacular goals for you, which is why he's such a favourite with our fans.
"I don't think he will come back feeling he's got anything to prove. He'll just want to get out there playing again as soon as he can."
MAHAMADOU Diarra's agent has denied reports that the former Real Madrid star is in talks with Stoke City.
The 30-year-old defensive midfielder is being linked to the Potters and Fulham after his contract at Monaco expired.
However, his agent, Frederic Guerra, said: "I have not been contacted by Stoke City."
Sources at the Britannia Stadium have also made clear the club is not in negotiations with the Mali international.
WEST Ham United are reportedly considering a move for Thomas Sorensen as a replacement for Rob Green.
Stoke's second-choice keeper has a year left on his contract, but has hinted he would prefer first-team football away from the Britannia Stadium if he can't renegotiate his Stoke contract.
However, Tony Pulis has made clear he wants to keep the 35-year-old Denmark international, who featured in last year's FA Cup games.
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Director of football John Rudge says only a fool would dare to write off the 31-year-old crowd favourite, who is recovering from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered at Aston Villa on April 23.
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Ricardo Fuller
"We aren't exactly sure at the moment when Ricardo will be fully fit again," said Rudge, "but we are doing everything we can to make sure he's back as soon as possible.
"He's a special player, we all know that, and I'm sure everyone is keen to see him up and running as quickly as possible. Not least Ricardo himself."
The stakes are increasing for Fuller, who came close to joining Sunderland in January, because he is now in the last year of his contract at the Britannia Stadium.
However, reports that Stoke have offered the striker to Birmingham in a player-plus-cash deal for defender Scott Dann are understood to be wide of the mark, not least because Fuller is injured.
Rudge added: "He's been a fantastic player for us over the last four or five seasons – and was a tremendous miss towards the end of last season.
"You just don't know what's going to come next when he has the ball at his feet, but nor do the defenders trying to stop him."
Fuller, who joined the club for £500,000 from Southampton in 2006, is one short of a half-century of goals in his 132 starts and 58 substitute appearances for Stoke.
"You have to say that he's been one of the best signings we've had in recent years," Rudge added.
"He's always been a player who can pull something special out of the hat and score spectacular goals for you, which is why he's such a favourite with our fans.
"I don't think he will come back feeling he's got anything to prove. He'll just want to get out there playing again as soon as he can."
MAHAMADOU Diarra's agent has denied reports that the former Real Madrid star is in talks with Stoke City.
The 30-year-old defensive midfielder is being linked to the Potters and Fulham after his contract at Monaco expired.
However, his agent, Frederic Guerra, said: "I have not been contacted by Stoke City."
Sources at the Britannia Stadium have also made clear the club is not in negotiations with the Mali international.
WEST Ham United are reportedly considering a move for Thomas Sorensen as a replacement for Rob Green.
Stoke's second-choice keeper has a year left on his contract, but has hinted he would prefer first-team football away from the Britannia Stadium if he can't renegotiate his Stoke contract.
However, Tony Pulis has made clear he wants to keep the 35-year-old Denmark international, who featured in last year's FA Cup games.
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